Improvement in artificial legs



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID GILSON, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

IMPROVEMENT IN ARTIFlCIAL LEGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,645, dated June I9, 1866.

To aZZ- whom it may concern Be it known that I, DAVID G'ILsoN, of the city of Nashua, county of Hillsborough, and State of New Hampshire, have invented and made new and useful Improvements in Artiticial Legs; and to enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, in Which- Figure l shows an elevation; Fig. 2, a section on the line O P, and Fig. 3 a top view of the adjustable socket with its directing ribs.

In place of the permanent and fixed socket in general use on artitieial legs, I construct an adjustable sliding socket, B,into which is fitted the pad A, made ot' some soft and yielding material, and stuffed so as to t the stump of the limb on Which it is to be Worn. This adjustable socket slides in grow-'es formed in the main shell of the leg, as shown at A, Figs. l and 3. It also rests upon the plate F, which is supported by springs, as shown fff, Fig. 2.

` As the Weight of the body is thrown upon this socket the springs yield and relieve the wearer from any jar or inconvenience that would be caused by the use of an unyieldin g or stift'material. It also gives the limb amore natural appearance. I also so connect that portion ot' the leg below the knee-joint With the sleeve E above the joint that a portion of the weight ot' the body may be supported by the sleeve E, thus relieving the stump from irritation by a too constant or hard usage.

I do not limit my claim to the particular form as herein shown, but extend it to any other substantially the same.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

An adjustable socket or pad supported upon springs or their equivalent, for the purposes as herein set forth.

DAVID GILSON.

Vitnesses:

WJ?. SPALDING, SAWYEE J UNTER. 

